As I planned what to play for tomorrow’s organ voluntaries, my eye fell on an old book of pieces by Cesar Franck. It had been my father’s book, and I remember my nine-year old self playing one of the melodies on the oboe, as he played the rest of the lines. He loved France, French, and French organ music. Today, I realised that this particular volume was published by none other than one of ‘my’ Scottish music publishers – Bayley and Ferguson. What could be more appropriate to celebrate my new book, than to play our ‘duet’ from that particular anthology? (I had, moreover, already encountered the editor, Henderson, in my research. He’s mentioned in passing in Chapter 3.)
I don’t know when Dad got that book. It was published in 1953, and it has an oldish look to the cover design, so I imagine he got it not long after it was published.Wherever he was at the time, it has since spent decades in Norwich before eventually coming up to Glasgow, Bayley & Ferguson’s original home.
I must admit that the focus of my book means I didn’t make much mention of organ music, and definitely no mention of Cesar Franck! Looking at it, the Cesar Franck cover design is staid beyond its years. You wouldn’t think the sixties were just around the corner. Still, it’s the music that matters. I’ll enjoy playing it tomorrow, thinking of Dad as I do so. He would have been so pleased to see my published work – I can only hope he’s smiling from his fleecy cloud now!
He says I wasted money buying my bike a couple of years ago. I’ve only ridden it twice. My answer is that I will, eventually ride it – maybe in retirement. But that’s only four calendar weeks away. (Indeed, only twelve working days as a librarian, considering the remainder are research days.) So, I really ought to get a grip on myself and wobble off into the sunset. But I haven’t yet!
Pedals (1)
Trying hard to practise my work-life balance, however, I did get out my dressmaking materials yesterday. I was getting on just fine, when – SNAP! The sewing machine needle broke. ‘Clumsy, careless’, I muttered to myself, assuming I must have caught a pin by mistake. I replaced it and continued.
SNAP! But there wasn’t a pin in sight. Five minutes later – SNAP! SNAP! Enough was enough. It was time for another holiday expedition. I visited the sewing machine A&E which is conveniently only five minutes away by car. Apparently the machine might have something wrong with its timing. (You’re not kidding! I want to finish and wear a new summer dress.) Leaving the machine, I went and got the car washed, then headed for Waterstones to buy a book.
But that left me machine-less, so I summoned up the courage to look at Mum’s Second-Best Machine, which is far more sophisticated than my own old workhorse. I’m just as terrified of it as I am of falling off the new bike.
What is it about me and pedals this weekend?
What is it about me and pedals this weekend? I’m fated. She had given me the wrong foot-control, and it wouldn’t fit the Second-Best Machine. Much searching later, and I had tracked down an eBay vendor who might be able to sell me one. Not only that, Mum had found a pedal at home, which sounded like the one that I should have had all along. It’s just 400 miles away. I should have one or two working sewing machines within the week, providing there isn’t actually anything wrong with the Second-Best Machine, as Mum darkly hinted …
Still, I was quite pleased with myself for not doing research all day, and promptly rewarded myself by visiting the website of the Working Class Movement Library in Salford. This is fascinating – I’d never heard of it before. Definitely worth adding to my Zotero account. I have the glimmering of an idea, depending on how my future research plans pan out, and this could be a very useful library to know about. Unfortunately, the catalogue only had the two particular titles that I’d already identified, so I sent a quick email of enquiry, and headed to the British Newspaper Archive to pursue other options … you’re right, this looks suspiciously like research!
Pedals (32)
Today, I slept in. I did a bucket-load of housework, and rewarded myself with pedals of a different kind – by going to do some organ practice. It’s been glorious weather, and there’s a lovely smell of grass outside. The old church wasn’t chilly, but comfortable – and very peaceful.
I haven’t done any research, so in that respect at least, I’ve had a restful day – if laundry and cleaning stair-carpets counts as restful. Indeed, I might even go and read outside in the sun now. Reading about ultra-processed foods is very definitely not research. (Strange to relate, as a teenager I did once wonder about training as a nutritionist. Not fancying biology kind of scuppered that ambition.) But it does still interest me. Retirement will hopefully mean fewer convenience foods and more home-cooking. I’m sure it’ll be better for us.
Chris van Tulleken, Ultra-Processed People: Why do we all Eat Stuff that isn’t Food … and why can’t we Stop?
Better nutrition, more exercise … I’m determined NOT to over-commit myself when semi-retirement actually comes, but there are some general principles that surely won’t go amiss!
There’s a great hymn in the Church of Scotland Hymnbook, ‘For my sake and the Gospel, go’, to Arthur Sullivan’s tune, ‘Bishopgarth’. But although I thought there ought to be a grand last-verse arrangement for it, there wasn’t one in either of my last-verse collections. So I made one myself. Back home, I got it notated before I forgot what I intended to do!
Here you go – Bishopgarth, a last-verse arrangement by Yours Truly.
You can probably begin to see how I propose to amuse myself when I’m semi-retired!
I woke, turning over in my mind the latest research idea, debating with myself what I could do with it. I’m wondering if a mind-map would help!
But Saturday morning means organ practice, so I have to put thoughts of twentieth century music publishing to the back of my mind. In the run-up to Easter, I have three extra services AND two funeral services next week. Yes, I booked a couple of half day holidays!
And here’s my workplace this morning! After that, home to make choral scores and transcribe a modern Scottish tune for an organ arrangement – there’s no rest for the wicked, as they say!
Daffodils out in time for EasterPractice done!Tracker action, late Victorian organ I love it when the sun pours inNeilston Parish Church
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 